In order to deliver on the demands of the packaging marketplace both adhesive solutions and applicator technologies are constantly evolving. The adhesive products develop in order to meet more exact requirements, functionalities and performance, while also keeping in mind environmental impact. Alongside this, the applicator technologies are becoming smarter and more efficient to keep up with the fast-paced requirements of the production process. Libby White caught up with DowDupont at this year’s Labelexpo to hear about their newest developments. We also explore Avery Dennison’s and H.B. Fuller’s wide-ranging solutions, and learn about the recent technologies introduced by Robatech to touch on the surface of adhesive application.
Combating vulnerability
Avery Dennison is a company at the forefront when exploring adhesive solutions, and of particular note has developed a solution for the challenging demands of enclosing wet products. Consumers who buy wet-wipes are mainly focused on easy-open/easy-close convenience. For manufacturers and brand owners, the priority is finding cost-efficient alternatives to rigid plastic lids and other reclosure solutions.
Avery Dennison has created a step change for wet-wipes with its High Solvent Resistance Adhesives, MR980R and UVR155, from the Select Solutions™ portfolio. These adhesives address the main problem with wet-wipe closures: the vulnerability of the adhesive closure to the solvents in the wet wipes themselves.
MR980R provides excellent functionality on glossy PET-packaging. It is designed to withstand the chemicals used in household wet wipes, and provides a high strength of adhesion on flexible packaging. UVR155 is the preferred choice for matte packaging, often used in baby, facial and toilet wipes. Both adhesives have been developed specifically for challenging wipe applications (like household wipes), offering high to medium initial tack and a smooth peel.
Maintaining integrity
A second focus area conducive to development is pressure sensitive adhesives.
H.B.Fuller’s extensive pressure sensitive adhesive portfolio contains water-based, hot melt and solvented acrylic or rubber compounded PS formulations, for production of a wide variety of labels, graphics and tape products. Its capabilities include the creation of unique compounded adhesives using in-house polymerisation, which deliver enhanced performance for specific applications.
Water-based Fulltak™ SE 8301, for example, connects ideal coating, drying and conversion performance for the label stock producer with optimum ice water resistance (IWR) and excellent alkali wash-off performance for the beverage producer. Another level of versatility is brought by hot melt Lunamelt™ PHC 7194 ZP, which enables effective peel and reseal label functionality, for consumer satisfaction time and time again. The choice of product depends on requirements, such as base type, substrate, ageing resistance, ease of removal and the balance between tack, adhesion, versatility and cohesion.
“At H.B. Fuller, we recognise the importance of a label’s integrity in maintaining a brand’s value and reputation,” Judith Liddle, marketing manager, converting solutions, EIMEA explains, “so we’re determined to help protect our customers brands by designing speciality adhesives that keep labels firmly in place throughout the product journey – however long or challenging this might be.”
In the hot melt PSA category, Swift®melt 1911 delivers superb performance on demanding surfaces and conditions, such as glass, metals, wet conditions and rough surfaces, making it ideal for glass bottle, holographic or tyre labels. For speciality and premium labels or tapes, LunameltTM HL 2838 has a wide performance spectrum and delivers superb pressure sensitive adhesive performance on difficult surfaces, such as virgin and recycled corrugated boxes in both low and high temperature conditions.
H.B. Fuller’s solvent-based PSAs, in turn, include a number of Swift®col products, which can be used for clear-on-clear labels, giving a fashionable and permanent ‘no-label’ impression.
Sticking together
Dow’s collaborative approach is focused also on driving meaningful innovations for the pressure sensitive industry. This year’s Labelexpo highlighted the unification of the Dow Performance Silicones and Dow adhesives complementary units of DowDupont Materials Science Division, commenting:
“This is really the first time we have exhibited together as a team. With the typical development of a label, the silicones and adhesives are considered at separate stages of the process. Today, the two materials are considered together, like us a team, which is really our strength.”
Advanced solventless technologies, such as the Dow Corning® 2013 Adhesive for specialty pressure sensitive applications is a solvent-free silicone pressure sensitive adhesive that, when used with Syl-Off® 4000 catalyst, offers the ability to prepare pressure sensitive constructions at low curing temperatures.
Of particular note, Dow Adhesives announced the latest innovation in its acrylic adhesives portfolio: ROBOND™ INVISU™ PS-7910 which is specifically designed for self-adhesive labelstock producers targeting the growing market of film-based labels.
This water-based acrylic adhesive provides a highly efficient and multipurpose solution addressing some of the most critical challenges of a broad range of filmic label end-uses, from food to beverage, home and personal care products, and durable goods.
For label producers, ROBOND™ INVISU™ PS-7910 represents a highly versatile adhesive with proven runnability on state-of-the-art curtain coating machines and suitable to formulations for alternative coating technologies. Dow’s new adhesive for filmic labels is in compliance with food contact regulation EU 10/2011 with reduction factor 2 for certain types of food. Furthermore, it offers an effective conversion to narrow web sizes, granted by remarkable and stable cohesion, independent of storage conditions.
For converters, the new ROBOND™ INVISUTM PS-7910 provides an efficient die cutting, thanks to the polymer cohesive strength, as well a consistent release and effective dispensing. With excellent and stable storage characteristics, it is able to handle a wide range of environmental conditions. As to end users, they will benefit from very good appearance on clear labels, with a transparent and non-yellowing adhesive film.
Optimising the process
Some of the latest adhesives on the market have been explored, and innovation is also ever present in the technology that supports its application.
Robatech AG’s product range is always growing to include new products, features, and options. One innovation is EasyFix, a mount for heated hoses that also extends the hose’s service life.
The ILS (intelligent level sensor) provides a real-time fill level visualisation for just the right dose. And last but not least, the RobaFeed 3, an automatic filling system for adhesive in granular form to maximise safety while ensuring the tank is always filled to the right level.
Until now, no professional hose mount has existed for adhesive application. One of the most compact hose mounts on the market, the EasyFix from Robatech has put an end to this. The heated hose, cable, and tubes are guided together, kept away from the floor. This also protects them from being squeezed or bent.
The EasyFix ideally adapts to the customer requirements, is suitable for practically any application and environment, and is quick to retrofit. Protection against overheating for bundled hoses minimises the risk of adhesive carbonisation and nozzle clogging. The EasyFix insert ensures optimal control of the constant hose temperature as well as high-quality adhesive application. Available in two different sizes, the EasyFix guarantees an extended service life, operator safety, and a constant hose temperature.
The demands on automatic melter filling increase continuously. The focus is on efficiency, safety, and functionality. With the fully integrated, automatic RobaFeed 3 filling system, Robatech offers the ideal solution for safe and reliable filling of melting tanks with adhesive in granular form. It draws the exact amount of adhesive needed and also monitors the adhesive level within the tank.
With this self-monitoring system, classic operator errors, such as overfilling of the tank, are avoided. Production downtimes due to empty melting tanks are omitted as well. Continuous filling ensures a constant amount of adhesive. Gentle, needs-based adhesives preparation also reduces the risk of burns in the tank as well as nozzle clogging. With less effort required for filling and increased process reliability, the RobaFeed 3 ensures continuous production, saves on adhesive, and even reduces the energy needed for operation.
Intelligent sensors have long played a key role including in the realisation of Industry 4.0 concepts. With the ILS, Robatech has developed a solution for real-time fill level visualisation. The new sensor can be installed in the entire Concept series, not only monitoring the fill level, but also preventing the adhesive tank from running empty with its unique run empty protection. The adhesive level is continually adapted to the process. The adhesive type is automatically detected, preventing production errors thanks to a warning in the event of an excessive deviation from the reference adhesive.
The display unit is an efficient solution for many individual applications, meeting all requirements in terms of precision. Analyses also help streamline processes. This increase in adhesive application efficiency cuts costs while optimising processes.
“This is just the type of possibilities our customers are looking for to boost their own added value and quality,” states Kevin Ahlers, Manager Marketing and Communication at Robatech AG. “We offer them complete solutions and never stop thinking about how we can further optimise the adhesive process. Developments such as the EasyFix, ILS, and RobaFeed 3 are all part of this. With the new ILS, for example, our customers are capable of collecting and processing data sets from measurement data. Platforms such as these can help them cut costs while streamlining processes. With our innovative solutions, we want to make our customers faster, more efficient, and more flexible, preparing them for the future of production.”
